At this meeting members picked a famous event in history at which they would like to have been.Several members had researched the Great Exhibition of 1851, organised by Prince Albert and opened by Queen Victoria. The Iron and Glass Crystal Palace contained exhibits from around the world including sculptures, Swiss watches, sewing machines, typewriters, steam ploughs and so much more. Stalls were selling all sorts of food including Soda water, Lemonade, Ginger Beer, savoury cakes, pies, potted meats and the latest thing ‘Jelly’. Also there were Public Toilets where you could “spend a penny” to use them,( but the men’s urinals were free!)
Phyllis talked about the tank from WW2 on Slapton Sands in Devon, which is a monument to all the servicemen who lost their lives there whilst practising for D-Day (German E-boats got among the landing craft).A local called Ken Small discovered this tank under the sea near the beach and had it dragged out, but he then spent 40 years battling with the Ministry of Defence to get it officially recognised as a WW2 memorial.
John talked about when the River Thames froze over and people could walk all over it without fear of falling through. People had stalls on it selling all manner of things- fairs were held- and ,believe it or not, people could light fires on the ice!
Pat said how wonderful it would have been to be in Holland in 1593 when the first tulip bulbs arrived from Turkey. The were highly prized and bought and sold for very large sums of money. Prices reached their highest in 1657, but in 1739 the market crashed and many people were ruined.
Joan talked about Mary Allen who was a leading figure in the Suffragette movement, and in the First World War persuaded the Senior figures in the Police Force (all men) to allow women constables, although their roles were limited.
Rona said she would have liked to have been in Israel on 14/5/48 when the State of Israel was declared, as the U.N. had decided in 1947 that this should be the Jewish homeland. What joy there must have been as people danced, sang and celebrated this wonderful event- made very special because of all the hardships, misery and persecution Jews had endured over the years.
Mike said how exciting it would have been to see Dr.Roger Banister do the mile in just under 4 minutes. It took place in Oxford in 1954 at a local track and just a few people present to witness it. When you think that runners, equipment and track conditions were not what they are now, this truly was an historic event.
The next meeting will be on Monday 16th March at Kim House, when the topic will be “Alfred the Great and the Anglo Saxons”.
Michael Page.
